Samsung first posted open source kernel files for the Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Gear just before the weekend, only a couple of days after both devices became available internationally. There weren't many models available at the time, just two for the Note 3 and one for the Gear. Now Samsung has introduced eight more for the Galaxy Note 3, including the SM-N900, SM-N9005, SM-N900K, and many others.

These devices haven't launched in the US yet, but these files enable developers and open source enthusiasts living stateside to play around with things before anyone else, in a sense. But don't let that make you jealous - while these files don't do much of anything for the everyday consumer, they're essential for the developers and tinkerers who create the ROMs that many of you will inevitably flash. So lets think of their playing around with things as a commitment to the greater good.

Comments

RaptorOO7

Nice, now if we could just get OUR models release in the US we all would be A LOT HAPPIER!

ather akber

we arabs got ours on the 27th :D

Justin W

Anyone know when an unlocked version will be available directly from Samsung? There's all these unlocked ones available through shady characters for $750+ that I don't particularly want to deal with and I'm interested in the official price of it.

Maher Salti

Does this mean we'll get to see proper modified roms on XDA for the Note 3?

This is another reason for me to get this Beast!

Mike Reid

For kernels, yes, as usual.

For all the usual closed source higher level HAL libraries, no.

Note that GPL REQUIRES modified kernel source to be posted. Every phone OEM does it, because the GPL says they MUST. Don't call an OEM dev friendly for this alone.

The only variable is how fast they release the source. HTC used to hang on to it longer, but they've improved.